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April 16, 2017 Source

Dear land of Guyana! President David Granger, President of the Region Five Chamber of Industry and Commerce, Mr. Imran Saccoor and Regional Chairman, Mr. Vickchand Ramphal stand at attention for the National Anthem.

 

President David Granger has named at least three sugar estates that will be retained as part of a restructured Guyana Sugar Corporation.

They are Blairmont, Albion and Uitvlugt.

“Guyana is trying to preserve its industry. That is why there will be a Blairmont and that is why there is going to be an Albion and we will preserve as many of our plantations and estates as possible. Uitvlugt will remain but we have to deal with the problems of cost,” he said at the opening of the Mahaica-Berbice (Region Five) Chamber of Industry and Commerce’s Expo and Trade Fair at the Bath Settlement Community Ground, West Coast Berbice.

The theme of the trade fair is “Build a diversified economy”.

Wales Estate has been already closed and some workers are being absorbed at Uitvlugt. Private cane farmers at Wales are also be encouraged to sell their  cane to Utitvlugt.  Companies from India, and Trinidad and Tobago have been exploring the possibility of buying out operations at Skeldon. The Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) has been backing protests by sugar workers on the East Coast Demerara, citing claims that estates will no longer be cultivated.

The President said government looks to ensure that the industry lowers the cost of production in order to produce sugar that is competitive on the world market. “We have to produce our commodities more cheaply. Otherwise, we will not be able to compete, whoever is in the Government… We want to save the sugar industry but it must be efficient and competitive… We are not working to destroy the industry. We are working to develop the industry and the industry has been contracting,” he was quoted as saying in a news release issued by the Ministry of the Presidency early Sunday morning.

He noted that several Caribbean countries such as Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, St. Kitts and Nevis, Jamaica, Belize have seen their sugar industries contract or disappear altogether because the cost of production was too high.

President of the Chamber, Mr. Imran Saccoor acknowledged that the sugar industry, which he described as the economic backbone of the Region and by extension Guyana, in its current state, is a “threat to our national treasury”.  However, he commended the Government for preserving the Blairmont estate, which is the single largest employer in the Region.

Forget party loyalty

The President also called on the Regional Administration, the Neighbourhood Democratic Councils, members of the business community and civil society to work together with the Central Government to ensure that the challenges to the Region’s further development are solved.

Let us work together! President David Granger, President of the Region Five Chamber of Industry and Commerce, Mr. Imran Saccoor and Regional Chairman, Mr. Vickchand Ramphal heading out to tour the booths at the exposition and trade fair

Regional Chairman, Mr. Vickchand Ramphal also pointed to the challenges in the sugar industry, as well as a number of other challenges affecting farmers.  He said, “Mr. President many of our residents and farmers of Region Five have heeded to your call to produce more and to develop cottage industries. However, they have been faced with many challenges such as  climate change, increase in prices of agricultural equipment and machinery, increase in land rental and drainage and irrigation fees and in some instances their lands are being taken away.  Echoing the President’s repeated calls for all branches of Government to work together, the Chairman said that solving the economic and social problems of the Region is only possible if policy makers work together in a sober political atmosphere.

President David Granger seized on this point and called on all elected officials to forget party loyalty in the execution of their duties and focus on the development of the Region and the country for all Guyanese.  He declared that all stakeholders must work together to ensure the development and implementation of a Regional Economic Action Plan (REAP).  This plan, the Head of State said, should be built on the pillars of an economy that is export oriented, buttressed by renewable energy generation and expansion based on economic diversification.

The President said, however, that its success depends on all arms of Government working together with the business community and civil society to come up with a plan that will work for the Region.

“In months to come, I look forward to seeing the RDC [Regional Democratic Councils] and NDCs working together with the Ministry of Communities and working with the NGOs [Non-Governmental Organisations] to draft this REAP. We cannot go forward without a plan and we can’t go forward without speaking to each other and working together.  It requires an inclusive and consultative approach. The Region must collaborate. This is not a PPP [People’s Progressive Party] region or a PNC [People’s National Congress] region. This is a West Berbice region… Once we take that oath in front of the President, we drop our political affiliation and think about our regional commitment. When I was sworn in as President of this country on the May 16, 2015, I said I’d be President for all Guyana… I go wherever Guyanese are and in this Region, wherever residents of West Berbice are, they must receive the attention and support of the regional administration and wherever the regions are the Ministry of Communities and Central Government must deal with them so that entire country is improved,” he said.

Region Five boasts an area of 324,000 hectares under cash-crop cultivation, 42,000 hectares under paddy and 1,600 hectares under coconut cultivation, with large herds of cattle, goats and pigs and sheep.  With its agrarian infrastructure President Granger said its culture of husbandry is second to none anywhere in the country.  He said that the region is well poised to lead the way as hub for food security in the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).  “This Region is an agricultural powerhouse.  It produced nearly 247,296 tonnes of rice last year, accounting for 46 percent of national production; it produced  28 million coconuts, nearly 1/3 of total national production; it produced 74.7 million kilograms of poultry; 1.6 million kilograms of beef; 281, 000 kilograms of pork; 60,000 kilograms of mutton; 44 million litres of milk; 1,68 metric tonnes of fish and shrimp. No President could ignore such massive production, and let me make it clear, I am here to augment that production. To help you to produce more. And anything that is good for West Berbice is good for Guyana,” the Head of State said.

Mr. Saccoor supported the call for an export oriented economy, that takes advantage of technological advancements to improve cost of production.  Referencing reports of increased yields in paddy production of up to 40 percent due to the incorporation of spraying and sowing of paddy using air crafts, he said, “We would want to encourage our farmers to look to see how they can advance technologically in farming.  When you advance technologically and invent new initiatives, you end up yielding better results.”  He also called for support from Government for training in marketing and the provision of access to packaging plants so that producers in the Region can be able to reach international markets with their produce.  He also welcomed plans for the expansion of a dairy industry in the Region by the Ministry of Agriculture. The Chamber President also commended the reduction in serious crime over the last months during his speech.

Following the official opening of the exposition, President Granger visited the stalls and interacted with the residents of the region.  Booths included furniture production, solar energy services, craft, farm produce and supporting products and services as well as agro-processing.

Replies sorted oldest to newest

Jackass Granger just postponing the inevitable. Without modernization the sugar industry in Guyana will never be able to compete. The PPP tried with the Skeldon estate on advice from Booker Tate with the support of Nagamootoo, Ramjattan and the PNC, but to its own detriment as the plans were not well thought out, especially involving the Chinese. 

FM
Drugb posted:

Jackass Granger just postponing the inevitable. Without modernization the sugar industry in Guyana will never be able to compete. The PPP tried with the Skeldon estate on advice from Booker Tate with the support of Nagamootoo, Ramjattan and the PNC, but to its own detriment as the plans were not well thought out, especially involving the Chinese. 

If the PPP could not make it work, why anyone think the PNC could or will.  With all due respect, the PPP could not turn back the tide of inevitability, the writing was on the wall for a long time.

The question still remains, what did the PPP do to transform the fortunes of the average sugar worker?  Why did the PPP not spearhead diversification and alternative employment to keep the constituency intact?  Lack of action has provided the hand to the PNC for them to play as they wish, and it will not be to the benefit of the PPP. 

FM
Drugb posted:

Jackass Granger just postponing the inevitable. Without modernization the sugar industry in Guyana will never be able to compete. The PPP tried with the Skeldon estate on advice from Booker Tate with the support of Nagamootoo, Ramjattan and the PNC, but to its own detriment as the plans were not well thought out, especially involving the Chinese. 

To be able to compete with what or who? More empty nonsense from you.

Mr.T
Mr.T posted:
Drugb posted:

Jackass Granger just postponing the inevitable. Without modernization the sugar industry in Guyana will never be able to compete. The PPP tried with the Skeldon estate on advice from Booker Tate with the support of Nagamootoo, Ramjattan and the PNC, but to its own detriment as the plans were not well thought out, especially involving the Chinese. 

To be able to compete with what or who? More empty nonsense from you.

It is not my fault that you were born with a part of your brain missing. Compete on the open world market dummy with countries producing using more advanced and efficient farming methods. 

FM
ba$eman posted:
 
 

If the PPP could not make it work, why anyone think the PNC could or will.  With all due respect, the PPP could not turn back the tide of inevitability, the writing was on the wall for a long time.

The question still remains, what did the PPP do to transform the fortunes of the average sugar worker?  Why did the PPP not spearhead diversification and alternative employment to keep the constituency intact?  Lack of action has provided the hand to the PNC for them to play as they wish, and it will not be to the benefit of the PPP. 

The PPP's back was not against the wall at the time, they themselves had not economic plan to move away from sugar, they were riding the run on gold. They kicked the can down the road and now the inept jackasses in the PNC are left to fumble the ball. 

FM
Drugb posted:
ba$eman posted:
 
 

If the PPP could not make it work, why anyone think the PNC could or will.  With all due respect, the PPP could not turn back the tide of inevitability, the writing was on the wall for a long time.

The question still remains, what did the PPP do to transform the fortunes of the average sugar worker?  Why did the PPP not spearhead diversification and alternative employment to keep the constituency intact?  Lack of action has provided the hand to the PNC for them to play as they wish, and it will not be to the benefit of the PPP. 

The PPP's back was not against the wall at the time, they themselves had not economic plan to move away from sugar, they were riding the run on gold. They kicked the can down the road and now the inept jackasses in the PNC are left to fumble the ball. 

They kicked the can down the road makes them as inept as the PNC.  The PNC is looking at this through the lenses of a strategic outcome, as such, the will kick the can in a corner and leave it to rust. They have nothing to lose, and more to gain!

The PPP did well tactically, but strategically they were/are inept.  They handed this on a platter to the PNC.  Don't blame the PNC for playing they game they want.

FM
KishanB posted:

I am now convinced beyond doubt that old man Granja is a DUNCE.

Here is that Dunce Goat Grainjaw having shytings figuring out how to govern:

images 8.23.46 PM

 

Attachments

Images (1)
  • images 8.23.46 PM
FM
Drugb posted:

Jackass Granger just postponing the inevitable. Without modernization the sugar industry in Guyana will never be able to compete. The PPP tried with the Skeldon estate on advice from Booker Tate with the support of Nagamootoo, Ramjattan and the PNC, but to its own detriment as the plans were not well thought out, especially involving the Chinese. 

Druggie. FACTS.

1. Jagdeo dumped Bookers and installed his incompetent thieves.

2.  The opposition was loud in its criticism of Skeldon.  You know for a fact how vocal TK was on this issue, as was the AFC,

3.  The PPP did NOTHING to modernize sugar, or rice for that matter.  23 years and Guyanese costs are way out of line with other producers to the point where we cannot even dominate the CARICOM market, even with tariff advantages.

4. Rather than involve people who know something of sugar Jagdeo used the Chinese. Now why is Jagdeo so fascinated with Chinese men I wonder as they don't have the equipment that Jagdeo lusts for?

FM
Drugb posted:

Jackass Granger just postponing the inevitable. Without modernization the sugar industry in Guyana will never be able to compete. The PPP tried with the Skeldon estate on advice from Booker Tate with the support of Nagamootoo, Ramjattan and the PNC, but to its own detriment as the plans were not well thought out, especially involving the Chinese. 

Check the record. Skeldon was wholly a Jagdeo's baby. It was suppose to be producing 400K tons of sugar annually. It was his choice to select the Chinese over the indians for this plant despite knowing the company never fabricated a sugar plant. The indians could. He was lured by greed given he could graft away at the lucrative loans the Chinese were offering. It was the reason he tool no warranty and the result is what we have; a white elephant!

FM
D2 posted:

Check the record. Skeldon was wholly a Jagdeo's baby. It was suppose to be producing 400K tons of sugar annually. It was his choice to select the Chinese over the indians for this plant despite knowing the company never fabricated a sugar plant. The indians could. He was lured by greed given he could graft away at the lucrative loans the Chinese were offering. It was the reason he tool no warranty and the result is what we have; a white elephant!

Nonsense, all political parties were on board at the inception of the project on advice from Booker Tate, the administrators then. Jagdeo is just at fault as the rest, including pnc/afc and Booker Tate.  The opposition only took issues with the Chinese being the contractors. 

FM
caribny posted:

Druggie. FACTS.

1. Jagdeo dumped Bookers and installed his incompetent thieves.

2.  The opposition was loud in its criticism of Skeldon.  You know for a fact how vocal TK was on this issue, as was the AFC,

3.  The PPP did NOTHING to modernize sugar, or rice for that matter.  23 years and Guyanese costs are way out of line with other producers to the point where we cannot even dominate the CARICOM market, even with tariff advantages.

4. Rather than involve people who know something of sugar Jagdeo used the Chinese. Now why is Jagdeo so fascinated with Chinese men I wonder as they don't have the equipment that Jagdeo lusts for?

I don't know about thieves, but after Booker Tate was drawing down huge salaries and not producing there was no option but to fire them. The jackasses in the opposition were in support of Skeldon but were against Chinese involvement. Now they and the Chinese are best of friends. 

The PPP should not have been involved in the manufacturing of sugar in the 1st place, it should have been the domain of private enterprise. However this govt ownership of the sugar industry was passed down by the PNC, the PPP had no option but to continue down that road.  They tried to divest by bringing in Booker Tate, only to be burnt by White man collecting huge paycheck and not delivering. 

The PNC claimed that once they attain power and throw out all the "thieves" on the sugar board, the industry would come to profitability due to money saved by eliminating corruption. Today we see them fail to deliver on this promise as they now hustling to sell of the industry to friends and family and fast track the oil. 

FM
Last edited by Former Member
Drugb posted:
caribny posted:

Druggie. FACTS.

1. Jagdeo dumped Bookers and installed his incompetent thieves.

2.  The opposition was loud in its criticism of Skeldon.  You know for a fact how vocal TK was on this issue, as was the AFC,

3.  The PPP did NOTHING to modernize sugar, or rice for that matter.  23 years and Guyanese costs are way out of line with other producers to the point where we cannot even dominate the CARICOM market, even with tariff advantages.

4. Rather than involve people who know something of sugar Jagdeo used the Chinese. Now why is Jagdeo so fascinated with Chinese men I wonder as they don't have the equipment that Jagdeo lusts for?

I don't know about thieves, but after Booker Tate was drawing down huge salaries and not producing there was no option but to fire them. The jackasses in the opposition were in support of Skeldon but were against Chinese involvement. Now they and the Chinese are best of friends. 

The PPP should not have been involved in the manufacturing of sugar in the 1st place, it should have been the domain of private enterprise. However this govt ownership of the sugar industry was passed down by the PNC, the PPP had no option but to continue down that road.  They tried to divest by bringing in Booker Tate, only to be burnt by White man collecting huge paycheck and not delivering. 

The PNC claimed that once they attain power and throw out all the "thieves" on the sugar board, the industry would come to profitability due to money saved by eliminating corruption. Today we see them fail to deliver on this promise as they now hustling to sell of the industry to friends and family and fast track the oil. 

Now we're getting somewhere. This is essence refutes the claim that everything went downhill in the past two years. Question, why didn't the PPP hold on to everything "passed on" from the PNC since as you say they had no choice? They blindly pumped money into an industry that is being subsidized, spent stupidly as in the absentia Guysuco head and now blame the incoming administration? Granted sugar is/was providing much needed jobs. On one hand, you just can't shut everything down and on the other hand you need to stop the leaks. What is being done right now is what the PPP should have done but they would have damaged their support base. If the PPP gets back in power, will all those factories/estates be reopened and the cane cutters given another raise? At what cost? That's the impression they're giving to the poor uneducated trusting cane cutters.   

GTAngler
Bibi Haniffa posted:

Boy since when you turn such a big PNC man?  My sister was reading your posts the other day and she was in disbelief.

Maybe a pnc man bend some of them over and had his way.  They don`t say for no reason, "once you go black you don't go back".

FM
Bibi Haniffa posted:
GTAngler posted:
Drugb posted:
caribny posted:

Druggie. FACTS.

1. Jagdeo dumped Bookers and installed his incompetent thieves.

2.  The opposition was loud in its criticism of Skeldon.  You know for a fact how vocal TK was on this issue, as was the AFC,

3.  The PPP did NOTHING to modernize sugar, or rice for that matter.  23 years and Guyanese costs are way out of line with other producers to the point where we cannot even dominate the CARICOM market, even with tariff advantages.

4. Rather than involve people who know something of sugar Jagdeo used the Chinese. Now why is Jagdeo so fascinated with Chinese men I wonder as they don't have the equipment that Jagdeo lusts for?

I don't know about thieves, but after Booker Tate was drawing down huge salaries and not producing there was no option but to fire them. The jackasses in the opposition were in support of Skeldon but were against Chinese involvement. Now they and the Chinese are best of friends. 

The PPP should not have been involved in the manufacturing of sugar in the 1st place, it should have been the domain of private enterprise. However this govt ownership of the sugar industry was passed down by the PNC, the PPP had no option but to continue down that road.  They tried to divest by bringing in Booker Tate, only to be burnt by White man collecting huge paycheck and not delivering. 

The PNC claimed that once they attain power and throw out all the "thieves" on the sugar board, the industry would come to profitability due to money saved by eliminating corruption. Today we see them fail to deliver on this promise as they now hustling to sell of the industry to friends and family and fast track the oil. 

Now we're getting somewhere. This is essence refutes the claim that everything went downhill in the past two years. Question, why didn't the PPP hold on to everything "passed on" from the PNC since as you say they had no choice? They blindly pumped money into an industry that is being subsidized, spent stupidly as in the absentia Guysuco head and now blame the incoming administration? Granted sugar is/was providing much needed jobs. On one hand, you just can't shut everything down and on the other hand you need to stop the leaks. What is being done right now is what the PPP should have done but they would have damaged their support base. If the PPP gets back in power, will all those factories/estates be reopened and the cane cutters given another raise? At what cost? That's the impression they're giving to the poor uneducated trusting cane cutters.   

Boy since when you turn such a big PNC man?  My sister was reading your posts the other day and she was in disbelief.

Seriously? Just because I call things as I see it and not as people want me to see them? I am NOT a PNC man. Now you're also cherry picking what I write. You don't remember any of the times when I attacked the PNC. I actually supported the PPP initially except there is no PPP now just Jagdeo. The Guyana he wants comprises of two groups. The rich and privileged that control the money and the poor that serve them. There is no middle class. I want what's best for Guyana. Some of you should ask what exactly are you supporting and along what lines. Everything is always the other person's fault. I am East Indian so I should automatically blindly support PPP. I suppose it would be more acceptable and less disbelieving if I went along with everything PPP/Jagdeo. Sorry, I can't help you there.

GTAngler
Last edited by GTAngler
Bibi Haniffa posted:
GTAngler posted:
Drugb posted:
caribny posted:

Druggie. FACTS.

1. Jagdeo dumped Bookers and installed his incompetent thieves.

2.  The opposition was loud in its criticism of Skeldon.  You know for a fact how vocal TK was on this issue, as was the AFC,

3.  The PPP did NOTHING to modernize sugar, or rice for that matter.  23 years and Guyanese costs are way out of line with other producers to the point where we cannot even dominate the CARICOM market, even with tariff advantages.

4. Rather than involve people who know something of sugar Jagdeo used the Chinese. Now why is Jagdeo so fascinated with Chinese men I wonder as they don't have the equipment that Jagdeo lusts for?

I don't know about thieves, but after Booker Tate was drawing down huge salaries and not producing there was no option but to fire them. The jackasses in the opposition were in support of Skeldon but were against Chinese involvement. Now they and the Chinese are best of friends. 

The PPP should not have been involved in the manufacturing of sugar in the 1st place, it should have been the domain of private enterprise. However this govt ownership of the sugar industry was passed down by the PNC, the PPP had no option but to continue down that road.  They tried to divest by bringing in Booker Tate, only to be burnt by White man collecting huge paycheck and not delivering. 

The PNC claimed that once they attain power and throw out all the "thieves" on the sugar board, the industry would come to profitability due to money saved by eliminating corruption. Today we see them fail to deliver on this promise as they now hustling to sell of the industry to friends and family and fast track the oil. 

Now we're getting somewhere. This is essence refutes the claim that everything went downhill in the past two years. Question, why didn't the PPP hold on to everything "passed on" from the PNC since as you say they had no choice? They blindly pumped money into an industry that is being subsidized, spent stupidly as in the absentia Guysuco head and now blame the incoming administration? Granted sugar is/was providing much needed jobs. On one hand, you just can't shut everything down and on the other hand you need to stop the leaks. What is being done right now is what the PPP should have done but they would have damaged their support base. If the PPP gets back in power, will all those factories/estates be reopened and the cane cutters given another raise? At what cost? That's the impression they're giving to the poor uneducated trusting cane cutters.   

Boy since when you turn such a big PNC man?  My sister was reading your posts the other day and she was in disbelief.

By the way, which sister, the one in my set?

GTAngler

As a friend, I am giving you one word of advice.  Keep your identity a secret the best way you can.  There are people on here who will go to no end to discredit you, including contacting your employer and people in your circle.

Bibi Haniffa
Bibi Haniffa posted:

As a friend, I am giving you one word of advice.  Keep your identity a secret the best way you can.  There are people on here who will go to no end to discredit you, including contacting your employer and people in your circle.

Will do. Thanks.

GTAngler

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